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Samsung Galaxy S10 Leak Confirms Exciting New Feature

Taking a look back at seven days of news and headlines across the world of Android, this week’s Android Circuit includes the launch date for the Samsung Galaxy S10 family, details on the punched-out S10 screen, a new name for the S10 Lite, the Nokia 8.1’s first review, OnePlus’ American plans, and the smartphone/PDA that won CES.

Samsung has announced the date for a major Galaxy event. Widely expected to be the reveal of the Galaxy S10 family, the next ’Samsung Unpacked’ is on 20 February and will take place in London and San Francisco. Paul Douglas reports on the UK event:

The invite reads: "Samsung Electronics will unveil new devices that promise to usher in new Galaxy experiences based on 10 years of innovations. The exciting reveal will take place at a Samsung Galaxy UNPACKED event in London at 7pm GMT."

…While the invite makes it pretty clear that the Galaxy S10 (or range of S10 phones) is set to break cover, there's no clue as to whether Samsung's folding phone, dubbed the Galaxy X or Galaxy Fold, will be shown at the same event. However, a report in the Wall Street Journal cites "people familiar with the matter" as saying that the folding phone will also be launched on 20 February.

As with most modern smartphone launches, many of the details have been leaked in advance and the geekerati know what to expect. That’s certainly the case with the Galaxy S10 family, and this week saw one of the final elements fall into place - how Samsung will mount the forward facing cameras and sensors in relation to the screen. Forbes’ Gordon Kelly reports:

Samsung published the new Galaxy S10 design by accident in an official blog post discussing its new ‘One UI’ Android skin. The images substantiated multiple leaks (including my own exclusive) with the range moving to a polarising punch hole display.

Samsung was quick to spot its error and replace the images, but not before they were posted to Reddit. Given the frequency with which Samsung has ‘accidentally’ leaked upcoming phones on its website in the past, and the fact the Reddit user in question was a new account publishing its first and only post, I’d be amazed if this was not also planned.

Thanks to details obtained by peripheral retailer Mobile Fun, it looks like Samsung’s entry level Galaxy S10 finally has a name. While the geekerati has generally went with S10 Lite over the last few months, it looks like the actual device will be the S10 E. I reported on the name change in the S10 family earlier this week:

Alongside a 5G variant in partnership with the likes of Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint - which is expected later in the year - Samsung is widely believed to have a three core models in the range. The larger-screened Galaxy S10 Plus, the jack of all trades Galaxy S10, and the entry level Galaxy S10 Lite. There’s also a suspicion of a fifth folding model with could be called the Galaxy S10 Ultra or Galaxy X).

Now it appears that the lightweight ‘Lite’ designation is going to be retired, and those looking for the budget-friendly model will need to look for the Galaxy S10 E.

The Nokia 8.1 is clearly a ‘Nokia’ device. Given that the vast majority of smartphones follow the same pattern of a large glass screen, featuring a notch, and a glass back, both mounted on a central chassis; this characteristic should not be ignored. HMD Global is building up a brand as much as it is building up sales. Brands need identity and the Nokia 8.1 confirms that the visual identity is in place.

As the likes of Samsung and Apple face falling revenue, the mid-priced high-specced handsets are offering an immense challenge. Xiaomi is pushing into Europe, Huawei is reaching customers directly in the US, and OnePlus has stepped up a gear with the OnePlus 6T. C. Scott Brown caught up with OnePlus’ team to talk about its plans for North America in 2019:

With a 5G phone, the follow-up to the OnePlus 6T, a television, and possibly other products landing in 2019 from the company, it’s clear that this year is going to be one the biggest ever for OnePlus. So far, the company has taken the slow-and-steady approach to growth — this year will be a big test for whether or not OnePlus can keep its winning streak while juggling multiple products in different categories.

The follow-up to the Gemini - an Android-powered 4G enabled clamshell PDA - from Planet Computers took to the CES floor this week. The prototype of the Cosmo picked up a lot of attention in Las Vegas, with its full-motion Qwerty keyboard and landscape orientation. Andy Boxall reports:

Yes, the Cosmo is big — it’s the nature of the beast, after all. It’s longer than an iPhone XS Max, and twice as thick. It weighs 300 grams (0.66 pounds), which is heavy . It is “pocketable,” in that it’s still a mobile device, but the bulge it creates in any trouser pocket will border on the unsightly. This won’t really matter to those seriously considering the Cosmo, as this is a productivity device and it’s the keyboard inside that’s the big selling point.

Taking a look back at seven days of news and headlines across the world of Android, this week’s Android Circuit includes the launch date for the Samsung Galaxy S10 family, details on the punched-out S10 screen, a new name for the S10 Lite, the Nokia 8.1’s first review, OnePlus’ American plans, and the smartphone/PDA that won CES.

Samsung has announced the date for a major Galaxy event. Widely expected to be the reveal of the Galaxy S10 family, the next ’Samsung Unpacked’ is on 20 February and will take place in London and San Francisco. Paul Douglas reports on the UK event:

The invite reads: "Samsung Electronics will unveil new devices that promise to usher in new Galaxy experiences based on 10 years of innovations. The exciting reveal will take place at a Samsung Galaxy UNPACKED event in London at 7pm GMT."

…While the invite makes it pretty clear that the Galaxy S10 (or range of S10 phones) is set to break cover, there's no clue as to whether Samsung's folding phone, dubbed the Galaxy X or Galaxy Fold, will be shown at the same event. However, a report in the Wall Street Journal cites "people familiar with the matter" as saying that the folding phone will also be launched on 20 February.

As with most modern smartphone launches, many of the details have been leaked in advance and the geekerati know what to expect. That’s certainly the case with the Galaxy S10 family, and this week saw one of the final elements fall into place - how Samsung will mount the forward facing cameras and sensors in relation to the screen. Forbes’ Gordon Kelly reports:

Samsung published the new Galaxy S10 design by accident in an official blog post discussing its new ‘One UI’ Android skin. The images substantiated multiple leaks (including my own exclusive) with the range moving to a polarising punch hole display.

Samsung was quick to spot its error and replace the images, but not before they were posted to Reddit. Given the frequency with which Samsung has ‘accidentally’ leaked upcoming phones on its website in the past, and the fact the Reddit user in question was a new account publishing its first and only post, I’d be amazed if this was not also planned.

Thanks to details obtained by peripheral retailer Mobile Fun, it looks like Samsung’s entry level Galaxy S10 finally has a name. While the geekerati has generally went with S10 Lite over the last few months, it looks like the actual device will be the S10 E. I reported on the name change in the S10 family earlier this week:

Alongside a 5G variant in partnership with the likes of Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint - which is expected later in the year - Samsung is widely believed to have a three core models in the range. The larger-screened Galaxy S10 Plus, the jack of all trades Galaxy S10, and the entry level Galaxy S10 Lite. There’s also a suspicion of a fifth folding model with could be called the Galaxy S10 Ultra or Galaxy X).

Now it appears that the lightweight ‘Lite’ designation is going to be retired, and those looking for the budget-friendly model will need to look for the Galaxy S10 E.

The Nokia 8.1 is clearly a ‘Nokia’ device. Given that the vast majority of smartphones follow the same pattern of a large glass screen, featuring a notch, and a glass back, both mounted on a central chassis; this characteristic should not be ignored. HMD Global is building up a brand as much as it is building up sales. Brands need identity and the Nokia 8.1 confirms that the visual identity is in place.

As the likes of Samsung and Apple face falling revenue, the mid-priced high-specced handsets are offering an immense challenge. Xiaomi is pushing into Europe, Huawei is reaching customers directly in the US, and OnePlus has stepped up a gear with the OnePlus 6T. C. Scott Brown caught up with OnePlus’ team to talk about its plans for North America in 2019:

With a 5G phone, the follow-up to the OnePlus 6T, a television, and possibly other products landing in 2019 from the company, it’s clear that this year is going to be one the biggest ever for OnePlus. So far, the company has taken the slow-and-steady approach to growth — this year will be a big test for whether or not OnePlus can keep its winning streak while juggling multiple products in different categories.

The follow-up to the Gemini - an Android-powered 4G enabled clamshell PDA - from Planet Computers took to the CES floor this week. The prototype of the Cosmo picked up a lot of attention in Las Vegas, with its full-motion Qwerty keyboard and landscape orientation. Andy Boxall reports:

Yes, the Cosmo is big — it’s the nature of the beast, after all. It’s longer than an iPhone XS Max, and twice as thick. It weighs 300 grams (0.66 pounds), which is heavy . It is “pocketable,” in that it’s still a mobile device, but the bulge it creates in any trouser pocket will border on the unsightly. This won’t really matter to those seriously considering the Cosmo, as this is a productivity device and it’s the keyboard inside that’s the big selling point.